Best Deshedding Shampoo for Dogs: A Buying Guide

Based on peer reviewed veterinary research · For educational purposes only · Updated October 2026 · 7 min read

Disclosure: Vetified makes the products we link to in this article, and we earn money when you buy them. You can read how we write and check our content in our editorial policy.

Which Deshedding Shampoo Should You Choose?

Vetified makes the Deshedding Shampoo for Large Breeds mentioned in this guide, so we are not neutral. We compare it below with other shampoos and with options that need no product at all, and we list its downsides too.

The short answer: a good deshedding shampoo is gentle, rinses out fully and is used together with brushing. No shampoo will stop a healthy double coated dog from shedding, because shedding is a normal part of the hair cycle.

What separates products is mostly formula style, scent, bottle size and how easy the label directions are to follow. There is very little published research comparing deshedding shampoos, so be careful with any brand that promises a set reduction in shedding.

Why Do Dogs Shed So Much?

Every hair grows, rests and then falls out. The resting stage is called telogen. In Beagles, shedding peaked in spring and fall, at the same time as the share of resting hair follicles peaked (Al-Bagdadi et al., 1977).

In indoor Labrador Retrievers, over 80% of hairs were in the resting phase in every season, and clipped hair took about 14 to 15 weeks to grow back (Diaz et al., 2004). That is why a double coat can release so much loose undercoat at once.

Breeds with dense double coats, such as Huskies, Malamutes, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Labradors, tend to shed the most visible hair. For a closer look at what is normal, see Excessive Shedding in Dogs: Causes and Warning Signs.

Deshedding Options Compared

Here is how the main options compare. We use the same columns for every option, including our own.

What to Look For on the Label

Gentle cleansers. Sulfate free formulas are less likely to strip the skin, which matters if you bathe more often in shedding season.

Clear directions. Look for a contact time and rinse instructions. Leftover shampoo in a thick undercoat can irritate the skin.

Size. Large double coated dogs use a lot of shampoo per bath, so bottle size matters.

Age and species. Check the minimum age on the label, and never use a dog product on a cat unless the label says it is safe.

Grooming, not treatment. A deshedding shampoo is a cosmetic grooming product. If your dog has itchy, red or smelly skin, a grooming shampoo is the wrong tool; read How to Bathe a Dog with a Skin Infection and talk to your vet.

How to Manage Heavy Shedding at Home

This routine suits healthy dogs with normal seasonal shedding.

1. Brush before the bath. Use an undercoat rake or slicker brush to remove loose hair and any small tangles. Water makes tangles tighter.
2. Wet the coat all the way to the skin. Double coats shed water, so this takes longer than you expect.
3. Lather and wait. Work the shampoo down to the skin and follow the contact time on the label.
4. Rinse very well. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear and the coat no longer feels slippery.
5. Dry and brush again. Towel dry, then brush while the coat dries. This is when a lot of loose undercoat comes out.
6. Repeat on a schedule. Brush several times a week in shedding season and bathe as often as the label and your dog's skin allow. With a consistent routine, the amount of loose hair around the house typically becomes easier to manage within a few weeks. If you see bald patches or skin changes, see your vet.

How Does Vetified Deshedding Shampoo Compare?

Vetified makes this product. Deshedding Shampoo for Large Breeds is a non-medicated, sulfate free grooming shampoo with vitamin E and flaxseed, a citrus and cider scent, in a 16 fl oz pump bottle. The label directions are to lather, leave on for about 5 minutes, rinse well and brush out the loose fur.

Pros: sulfate free, pump bottle, simple directions built around brushing, labeled for dogs and puppies 8 weeks and older.

Cons: like every deshedding shampoo, it does not change how much hair your dog naturally sheds. It has not been tested in a published clinical study. A very large dog can go through a 16 fl oz bottle quickly, and the citrus scent will not suit every owner.

Other brands, including FURminator and TropiClean, also sell deshedding shampoos. Compare the label directions, cleansers and size, and pick the one that fits your routine. For more on coat type, see Double-Coated Dog Skin Problems.

When Is Shedding a Skin Problem?

Normal shedding leaves an even coat with healthy skin underneath. Hair loss that leaves thin or bald areas is different.

Hypothyroidism is a common hormonal cause of coat changes in dogs, and diagnosis needs blood tests (Mooney, 2011). Allergies, infections and parasites can also cause hair loss with itch. Read Dog Hair Loss and Alopecia or try the Skin Condition Checker.

Diet plays a part in coat quality. Dietary fats influence skin and coat health (Kirby et al., 2007), but in one study, flax seed or sunflower seed improved coat scores only temporarily (Rees et al., 2001). Ask your vet before adding supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deshedding shampoo stop a dog from shedding?

No. Shedding is a normal hair cycle. A deshedding shampoo helps hair that is already loose come out during the bath and brushing, so less of it ends up on your floor.

How often should I use deshedding shampoo on my dog?

Follow the label. Many owners bathe every few weeks during heavy shedding season and brush several times a week in between. Bathing too often can dry the skin.

Can I use deshedding shampoo on a dog with itchy skin?

A deshedding shampoo is a grooming product and does not treat skin problems. If your dog is itchy, red or smelly, see a vet to find the cause first.

Is brushing or shampoo more important for shedding?

Brushing. An undercoat rake or slicker brush removes loose hair directly. Shampoo is a helpful add on on bath days, not a replacement for regular brushing.

Sources

1. Al-Bagdadi FA, Titkemeyer CW, Lovell JE. Hair follicle cycle and shedding in male beagle dogs. Am J Vet Res. 1977;38(5):611-6. PubMed
2. Diaz SF, Torres SM, Dunstan RW, Lekcharoensuk C. An analysis of canine hair re-growth after clipping for a surgical procedure. Vet Dermatol. 2004;15(1):25-30. PubMed
3. Rees CA, Bauer JE, Burkholder WJ, Kennis RA, et al. Effects of dietary flax seed and sunflower seed supplementation on normal canine serum polyunsaturated fatty acids and skin and hair coat condition scores. Vet Dermatol. 2001;12(2):111-7. PubMed
4. Kirby NA, Hester SL, Bauer JE. Dietary fats and the skin and coat of dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007;230(11):1641-4. PubMed
5. Mooney CT. Canine hypothyroidism: a review of aetiology and diagnosis. N Z Vet J. 2011;59(3):105-14. PubMed

Related Reading

• Excessive Shedding in Large Breed Dogs: Causes and What Helps
• Excessive Shedding in Dogs: Causes and Warning Signs
• Double-Coated Dog Skin Problems

E. Maddens

Co founder and head of product development at Vetified. Not a veterinarian. Vetified makes the products mentioned in this article. Read our editorial policy.

Research basis: All Vetified content references peer reviewed research published in journals including Veterinary Dermatology, JAVMA, and Journal of Small Animal Practice.